Lubricant applying pad for railway car journals



Jan. 5, 1960 w. H. SALE 2,919,959

LUBRICANT APPLYING PAD FOR RAILWAY CAR JOURNALS Filed Aug. 2, 1957 INVENTOR.

WILLIAM H. SALE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent P LUBRICANT APPLYING PAD FOR RAILWAY CAR JOURNALS Application August 2, 1957, Serial No. 675,995

8 Claims. (Cl. 308-88) The present invention relates to lubricating means for journal bearings of the type associated with railway car trucks and has particular reference to an improved prefabricated lubricant applying pad designed for insertion as a unit into a railway car truck journal box in a position to bear resiliently against the lower surface of the journal so as to apply lubricant to the rotating journal, whereby a suitable film of lubricant is maintained between the journal and journal bearing.

The lubrication of railway car journal bearings has heretofore presented numerous problems in railway car operation. The usual method of lubrication has entailed the use of oil-soaked wool and cotton waste which is packed into the journal box in such a manner that the waste makes contact with the underneath side of the journal, whereby the lubricant is brought into contact with the journal by capillary or wick action and is carried by rotation of the journal into contact with the bearing element or brass which normally seats on the upper portion of the journal. Where waste packing is employed for lubricating purposes, such hot boxes frequently occur as a resultof migration of strands of the waste material into the space existing between the journal and its bearing member or brass.

The present invention is designed to overcome the above-noted limitations that are attendant upon the use of conventional methods of lubricating railway car journals and, toward this end, it contemplates the provision of a novel form of unitary, self-contained, lubricant applicator in the form of a resilient pad or pillow which is capable of being easily and conveniently inserted within a conventional journal box so as to assume a position wherein it is partially submerged in a pool of lubricant contained in the journal box. The applicator is constructed to conduct the lubricant upwardly within the reservoir toward the underneath surface of the rotating journal by a continuous capillary process wherein the film is wiped, so to speak, ontothe surface of the journal throughout the entire longitudinal extent of the journal and throughout an appreciable circumferential extent thereof.

The provision of a lubricant applicator of the character briefly set forth above being among the principal objects of the invention, it is a further object to provide such an assembly which is entirely self contained and which lends itself to manufacture as a package type unit for introduction bodily into a journal box by a simple manual operation or for easy removal therefrom for purposes of substitution or replacement when desired.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a self-contained lubricant applicator of this character which, when inserted within the lubricant reservoir, will initially assume the shape of the reservoir and closely hug the underneath surface of'the rotating journal throughout the entire length thereof, and which furthermore will retain its shape indefinitely against sagging or otherwise becoming separated from the surface of the journal so 2,919,959 Patented Jan. 5', 1960 that an effective wiping action on the surface of the journal will be maintained at all times.

A similar and related object of the invention is to provide a resilient lubricant applicator which, although it will assume the shape of the reservoir as outlined above, is of hollow open-ended tubular construction, as distinguished from other applicators which contain porous packing material tend to obstruct free flow or movement of the lubricant in the reservoir.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a lubricant applicator having associated therewith an elongated Wick element of felt or other material capable of exerting a strong capillary action on the lubricant, together with a reinforcing member for the wick element which is so associated with the latter that when the applicator is installed within a journal box, the wick element is caused to assume a definite shape wherein a major portion of the same is submerged within the pool of lubricant, while a limited extent of the wick element is extended above the level of the lubricant pool and is firmly yet yieldingly maintained in contact with the underneath surface of the rotating journal throughout the entire length of the journal.

A still further object of the invention, in a lubricant applicator of this sort, is to provide a novel resilient body which, when installed in a journal box, closely hugs the inside shoulder of the journal axle and seals the same against the transverse passage of dust, dirt and other foreign matter along the axle and into the bearing space of the journal.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a package-type lubricant applying unit which, in the main, is comprised of but two principal parts, namely the wick element and its reinforcing member as outlined above, and which two elements are each formed from flexible stock material, cut to the proper length and assembled upon each other by an interlacing operation and utilizing fabric stitching material to hold the ends of the stock material in place. In an alternative form of the invention, a third part in the form of an outer covering of fabric material serves to enclose the wick element and its reinforcing member without appreciably altering the function of these two parts, while at the same time enhancing the capillary wiping action of the unit as a whole.

A further object of the invention is to provide a lubricating unit consisting of the two principal non-metallic operative parts set forth above and having associated therewith a fabric eyelet or handle-like loop designed for cooperation with a hook or similar tool and by means of which the applicator as a whole may be pulled from a journal box for removal purposes. In connection with this last mentioned object, the use of soft copper rivets for securing the fabric loop in position in the assembly constitutes the sole use of metallic elements in the assembly andthese rivets are so positioned that when the applicator is in position within a journal box, the rivets are maintained out of contact with the rotating journal.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel form of lubricant applicator which is capable of use in a conventional type of journal box construction without requiring any modification whatsoever of the journal box or its associated parts.

With these and other objects and advantages in view, which will become more readily apparent as the following description ensues, the invention consists in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts shown in the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification.

In these drawings:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view taken substantially centrally through a conventional 3 journal box of a railway car truck showing the improved lubricant applicator of the present invention operatively applied thereto.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 2--2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the lubricant applying unit in its free state, the outer covering being broken away to more clearly reveal the nature of the invention.

Fig. 4 is a rear elevational view of the structure shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 55 of Fig. 4, and

Fig. 6 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 2 showing a slightly modified form of the invention.

Referring now to the drawings in detail and in particular to Figs. 1 and 2, the journal box of a railway car truck is designated in its entirety at 10 and provides the usual lubricant reservoir 11 within which the lubricant applicator of the present invention is operatively installed. The journal box 10 is of conventional construction and may be formed integrally with the side frame portions 12 and 13 of the car truck. An end opening 14 is closed by a journal box lid 15 hingedly mounted on a bolt 16 carried in a pair of lugs 17 at the upper region of the journal box 10 at the outer end thereof.

The journal box 10 is formed with a circular opening 20 adapted to receive the journal 21 of a wheel axle 22. A dust guard bearing 23 formed on the axle 22 between a pair of shoulders 24 and 25 is fitted with a conventional split dust guard 26 inserted in the usual dust guard slot 27 provided in the journal box 14).

A wedge 28 receives the distributed load on the side frames 12 and 13 and applies the same to a journal bearing or brass 29 which rests on the top of the journal 21. This wedge 23 abuts against a shoulder 3% formed on the journal box it and a shoulder 31 on the bearing brass 29 and is disposed between the vertical sides 32 and 33 thereof. The bearing brass 29 is limited in its endwise movement on the journal 21 between the shoulder 25 and a collar 34 formed at the end of the journal. Sidewise movement of the brass is limited by the journal box sides 32 and 33.

The arrangement of parts thus far described is purely conventional and no claim is made herein to any novelty associated with the same. Journal box constructions of this or other known character are usually packed with oil-soaked waste as previously set forth, the waste contacting the underneath side of the journal so that the rotating journal will pick up a thin film of the lubricant from the waste to maintain lubrication between the bearing brass and the journal. The present invention is concerned with an improved lubricant supplying means for maintaining a constant supply of the lubricant in the form of a film to the journal in a manner that will now be set forth in detail.

The lubricant supplying means of the present invention is in the form of a unitary pad or pillow designated in its entirety at and which is capable of insertion through the end opening 14 into the lubricant reservoir 11 beneath the journal 21 for wiping contact with the latter. The lubricant applicator 40, in the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive, involves in its general organization an outer flexible fabric covering or casing 42 of bag-like design which, in its free state per se may be substantially fiat and generally rectangular in both longitudinal and transverse cross section but which, when serving as an enclosure for the remaining parts of the applicator and operatively positioned within the journal box It), is capable of flowing, so to speak, so as to assume the generally arcuate or curved configuration of the space existing within the reservoir 11 and defined by the more or less semi-cylindrical concentric surfaces of the reservoir bottom and the lower half of the rotating journal 21. The covering 42 is preferably formed of a suitable fabric material such as felt which is not only porous but which possesses the ability to exert an effective capillary action on the lubricant 44 contained within the reservoir 11 for purposes which will be made clear presently.

Disposed within the outer casing 42 is a tubular reinforcing member 4 6 having associated therewith in interlaced relationship as will be described subsequently, an elongated wick proper 4%, the latter being preferably formed of a felt material. The member 46 is preferably formed from tubular stock, either extruded or molded, and the material thereof is of a resilient nature. Among the materials contemplated for use in the construction of the reinforcing member 46 are the various synthetic rubber and rubber substitutes such as neoprene and Buna N which, unlike natural rubber, are not subject to the injurious effects of hydrocarbon lubricating oils. The tubular wall of the reinforcing member 46 is relatively thick and the cross sectional shape thereof, as best seen in Fig. 5, is that of a flattened tube, although elliptical, oval or circular configurations are contemplated. The member 46, by virtue of the resiliency of the material of which it is composed, and by virtue of the thickness of its wall, offers a degree of resistance to compressional forces as a whole so that when the member, together with its associated components, is inserted Within the lubricant reservoir in a manner that will be made clear presently, this member will become deformed as shown in Fig. 2 and conform to the shape of the enclosure within which it is housed.

The wick member 48 may be cut from felt stock and is in the form of an elongated strip of the felt material which is threaded into and around the reinforcing member 46 in such a manner that a continuous length thereof extends transversely across the upper face of the member 46 in the medial region thereof from one end of the flattened member 46 to the other. Accordingly, as best seen in Figs. 2 and 5, the reinforcing member 46 is formed with a pair of parallel longitudinally extending slots 50 in the top wall portion 51 thereof and with a single longitudinally extending slot 52 in the bottom wall portion 53 thereof. The felt strip or wick member 43 has its ends brought together and stitched in overlapping relationship as shown at 54 so as to form, in effect, a single continuous loop of the material, the loop extending through the slot 52, around one curved side 56 of the reinforcing member 46, across the top wall portion 51, around the other curved side 57, and back through the slot 52, from whence it extends upwardly as at 58 and is threaded through the two slots 50 and then extends downwardly as at 59 to the juncture 52. The two portions 58 and 59 constitute, in effect, medial struts which serve jointly hold the top and bottom wall portions 51 and 53 respectively in their positions of substantial parallelism against any tendency for these walls to bulge outwardly in the free state of the applicator 40.

The applicator consisting of the reinforcing member 46 and the interlaced wick member 48 may, if desired and as shown in Fig. 6, constitute the complete lubricating unit and be inserted within the lubricant reservoir 11 in a manner that will be described subsequently. However, in the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive, this assembly 46, 48 is received within the previously mentioned outer felt covering 42. The covering 42 may be in the form of a tubular envelope or bag which is normally open at both ends but which has such ends flattened and closed by means of stitching as shown at 60 in Figs. 2, 3 and 5 after the assembly 46, 48 is inserted into the envelope. It is to be noted that the as sembly of the reinforcing member 46 and wick 48 is inserted into the envelope or covering 40 endwise so that the closed stitched ends of the covering 42 register with the open ends of the tubular reinforcing member 46 in the assembled device.

A pulling loop which facilitates removal of the applicator from its installed position within the reservoir 11 is provided at the medial regions of the curved side 56 of the reinforcing member 46 and, is in the form of a canvas or other fabric strip 62 having good tensile qualities. The strip 62 passes through a pair of slots 64 in the curved side 56 and has its ends turned laterally as at 65, and riveted as at 66 to the inside face of the wall 56. The loop 62 passes through a slot formed in the covering 42 and is thus accessible exteriorly of the latter.

In the installation and operation of the lubricant applicator 40, the entire unit is inserted bodily through the opening 14 of the journal box structure and is caused to assume the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2 wherein it fills the reservoir 11 and closely hugs the underneath curved side of the rotating journal 21. A pair of inwardly extending ribs 67 and 68 (Fig. 2) on the walls 32 and 33 respectively assist in confining the applicator 40 within the space provided for it within the journal box. Due to the compressional forces acting on the unit 40 as a whole, the unit is caused to assume the generally crescent cross sectional shape shown in Fig. 2 wherein it substantially fills the reservoir 11 and extends upwardly at its ends above the level of lubricant within the reservoir.

It is to be noted that when thus assembled or installed within the journal box, the tubular reinforcing member 46, carrying the interlaced wick member 48, becomes partially wrapped, so to speak, around the lower curved portion of the journal 21 with its central longitudinal regions depressed and with its ends elevated as shown in Fig. 2. The upper portion or span of the wick 48 which overlies the top wall portion 51 underlies the journal 21 and extends longitudinally therealo-ng as seen in Fig. l. The curved side 56 of the reinforcing member 46 is disposed at the front end of the journal box 10 and the handle-like fabric loop 62 is conveniently ac cessible at the front of the journal box so that a suitable tool such as a hook (not shown) may be passed through the loop 62 to facilitate pulling of the entire assembly 40 from the journal box for inspection or replacement purposes when desired.

In the operation of the applicator, both the felt covering or bag 42 and the wick member or strip 48 exert a capillary influence on the lubricant in the reservoir 11 and serve to conduct the lubricant upwardly from the pool thereof and apply the same to the rotating journal 21 by a wiping action.

In Fig. 6 the outer covering 42 has been omitted from the assembly (Figs. 3 and 4) but otherwise the essential features of the reinforcing member 46, the wick 48 and pulling loop 42 remain substantially the same as in the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive. In this instance the span or extent of the felt wick member 48 which overlies the top wall portion 51 of the reinforcing member 46 makes direct contact with the underneath curved surface of the rotating journal 21 and applies the lubricant drawn from the reservoir 11 to the journal by a wiping action. Irrespective however of whether the outer covering 42 be utilized or whether it be omitted, the essential features of the invention are at all times preserved.

I claim:

1. The combination with a rotating journal of a railway car axle, a journal bearing supported on said journal, and a journal box having a bottom and side walls and enclosing said journal and bearing and providing a lubricant reservoir beneath the journal, of means for applying lubricant to said journal and bearing, said means comprising a tubular reinforcing member formed of resilient material which is chemically inert with respect to the lubricant in said reservoir, said tubular reinforcing member being flattened to provide top and bottom walls connected along their sides by curved portions, and a 6 wick element mounted on said reinforcing member and having a portion thereof providing a shackle to maintain said tube in its flattened condition and another portion of the wick extending transversely and completely across .said top wall, said reinforcing member being positioned in said reservoir and underlying said journal and partially wrapped around the same under the deforming influence of its environment within the journal box with the length of the tube measured from one open end to the other lying transversely to the longitudinal axis of the journal and with said bottom wall closely hugging said bottom and side walls of the journal box with an exterior portion of the wick element efiectively bearing against the journal and extending longitudinally therealong.

2. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said exterior portion of the wick is interposed between said top wall of the reinforcing member and the journal and bears directly against said journal coextensively with the longitudinal extent of the latter.

3. The combination set forth in claim 1 including, additionally, an outer fabric covering completely encasing said reinforcing member and the wick mounted thereon.

4. The combination set forth in claim 3 wherein said wick element and outer covering are each formed of felt.

5. The combination with a rotating journal of a railway car axle, a journal bearing supported on said journal, and a journal box having a bottom wall and enclosing said journal and bearing and providing a lubricant reservoir beneath said journal, of means for applying lubricant to said journal and bearing, said means comprising a tubular reinforcing member formed of synthetic rubber which is chemically inert with respect to the lubricant within the reservoir, said member in its free state being flattened to provide top and bottom walls which are connected along their sides by curved portions, one of said walls being formed with a single slot in the medial region thereof and the other wall being formed with a pair of spaced slots in the medial region thereof, and a wick element mounted on said reinforcing member, said wick element being in the form of an endless length of felt wicking having a portion thereof completely encompassing said tubular reinforcing member exteriorly thereof and having the remaining portion thereof passing through said single slot in said one wall and extending substantially diametrically through the tubular member with portions thereof extending through the slots in said other wall whereby said remaining portion is looped around the portion of the latter wall which intervenes between said spaced slots, said reinforcing member being positioned in said reservoir with said bottom wall closely hugging said curved bottom wall of the journal box and with said top wall following the contour of the underneath side of said journal with an exterior portion of the wick element effectively bearing against the journal and extending longitudinally therealong.

6. The combination set forth in claim 5 including additionally, a loop of fabric material secured to one of said curved portions of the reinforcing member and constituting a pull tab whereby the reinforcing member and wick may be pulled bodily as a unit from the journal box reservoir.

7. A unitary, prefabricated, package-type lubricating unit designed for insertion into the journal box of a railway car journal and bearing assembly between the rotating journal and bottom wall of the journal box, said unit comprising a tubular reinforcing member formed of a synthetic rubber which is chemically inert with respect to the lubricant within the reservoir, said member being flattened to provide top and bottom walls which are connected together along their sides by curved portions, one of said walls being formed with a single slot in the medial region thereof and the other wall being formed with a pair of spaced slots in the medial region thereof, and a wick element mounted on said reinforcing member, said wick element being in the form of an endless length of felt wicking having a portion thereof completely encompassing said tubular member circumferentially and exteriorly thereof and having a portion thereof projecting through said single slot in said one wall and looped around the portion of said other wall which intervenes between the pair of slots therein whereby said looped portion of the wicking serves to maintain said top and bottom walls spaced from each other against outward bulging.

8. A unitary, prefabricated, package-type lubricating unit as Set forth in claim 7 wherein said single slot is provided in the bottom wall and the pair of slots are formed in the top wall of said reinforcing member,

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

